Monday, August 10, 2009

Does it sound too trite to say, "This year's Youth Conference was the best yet!"? But it was the best yet, so I will say it anyway! Maybe I think this just because each year gets a little easier for me personally, since my children are getting a little bigger and I am able to be more involved. But, honestly, the preaching was awesome and the spirit of the teens was just terrific! We did not have any problems to speak of, and everything moved just like clock-work (which is no easy task when you are hosting a group of 70!)

This year our theme was "God is Greater," which is actually our church's theme of the year. The theme verse of the week was I John 4:4 "... greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world." Our guest speaker was Pastor Scott Hanks from Lawrence, Kansas.

Because we are moving tomorrow (yes, tomorrow!), I still have not even had a chance to download all of my pictures from my camera to my computer. But, since this will be our last night with internet for who knows how long (we are moving to a village!), I thought I would add some highlight pictures of the week for you to enjoy. As you look at these pictures, thank God with us for a great week and thank God that HE IS GREATER!

YOUTH CONFERENCE 2009 group photo

PASTOR SCOTT HANKS FROM LAWRENCE, KANSAS, PREACHING

PASTOR HANKS PREACHING... HE WAS VERY INTERACTIVE WITH THE TEENS AND THEY JUST LOVED HIM!

WE ENJOYED LOTS OF SPECIAL MUSIC THROUGHOUT THE WEEK FROM THE DIFFERENT CHURCHES REPRESENTED

A TRULY TOUCHING MOMENT WAS WHEN 17-YEAR-OLD ALINA (HANDICAPPED WITH A SPINAL DISEASE) TESTIFIED. I HOPE TO SHARE HER TESTIMONY ON HERE ONE DAY SOON...

BASKETBALL (See Pastor Hanks [on the far left] participating, even though he is in a dress shirt?! No wonder they loved him!)

BIG BALL VOLLEYBALL

WATER-BALLOON BASEBALL (the young ladies from their team had to sit directly behind them to cheer them on... they loved this because it was so hot outside!)

SHOE RELAY (Dare I even explain?! This was so hilarious, and I just LOVE this picture!)

We have SO, SO many to thank for making this week possible... the pastors/youth workers who brought their teens, the church staff who worked extra hours leading up to this week, Pastor Hanks for making the long flight here to preach, and even some of our supporting churches who raised money to make this week possible for some teens who would not have been able to come if it were not for their financial help. All praise and honor and glory to God!

Sunday, August 9, 2009

On July 25th, my husband celebrated his 31st birthday. I am so grateful to God for allowing me to be the helpmeet of this wonderful man. Our last nine years together have been quite the adventure, and I have enjoyed following David to far-away places to spread the Gospel to others. David is a very caring and thoughtful husband. He is also a terrific Daddy to our three children, and they just can not be with him enough (and I certainly understand their sentiments!). I have my David to thank for allowing me to live in the Christian home I always dreamed of. Happy Birthday, my sweet treasure, David!